Precision process camera



Oct. 9, 1951 B, R. HALPERN 27,570,668

PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA Filed Dec. 15, 1947 l0 Sheets-Sheet l BERNARD R. HALPERN #VVE/vm?.

B. R. HALPERN PRECISION PROCESSy CAMERA Oct. 9, 1 95 lO Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 115, 1947 l MM R.

BERNARD R. HALPERN ATIURMSX.

Oct- 9, 1951 B. R. HALPERN 2,570,668

PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA Filed Deo. 13, 1947 10 Sheecs-Shee'I 3 Oct. 9, 1951 Q R HALPERN 2,570,668

'PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA Filed Dec. l5, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 BERNARD R. HALPERN Y #WH/m'.

5y im ATTORNEY.

Oct. 9, 1951 B R, HALPERN v 2,570,668

PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA TTORIVEK Oct- 9, 1951 B. R. HALPERN PRECISION PRocEss CAMERA l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 13, 1947 FLE- 1E- Fig- 11.

Afro/@vin Oct- 9, 1951 B. R. HALPERN PRECISION PRocEss CAMERA Filed Deo. 15, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 J6 BERNARD R. HALPERN Oct. 9, 1951 B. R. HALPERN PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA lO Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Deo. 13. 1947 44 A BERNARD, R. HALPERN Oct. 9, 1951 B. R. HALPERN PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 13. 1947 N Mmmm n Hm uw 7 RWMVA D R A l N m oct- 9, 1951 B. R. HALPERN PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA l0 Sheets-Sheet `10 Filed Dec. l5, 1947 2%/ FEET E l BERNARD R. HALPERN Patented Oct. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRECISION PROCESS CAMERA Bernard R. Halpern, New York, N. Y.

Application December 13, 1947, Serial No. 791,515

13 Claims. l

The invention herein disclosed in a precision process camera, of the darkroom type, for the accurate reproduction by photography of continucus tone and line copy.

Particular objects of the invention are to provide a camera of this nature adaptable to all the many requirements and uses of such cameras that will enable the securing of maximum accuracy, fidelity of reproduction and efficiency under both normal and adverse operating conditions.

Special objects of the invention are to provide such a camera in compact, mobile, rugged form adapted for airborne transportation and meeting the military requirements for rapid assembly and disassembly and for the accurate production of line, halftone and continuous tone negatives used in the preparation of air charts, ground survey maps and the like, such design and structure to permit operation under severe field conditions where vibration and shock may be encountered.

Further special objects of the invention are to provide a camera such as outlined, embodying 7 the features of rigidity, durability and eiciency, and to attain such characteristics and results within the range of practical, economical manufacturing simplicity.

A special object of the invention is to obtain dynamic balance and minimum truss distorting moments and for suchpurpose to provide practical two-point support at the center of gravity of the camera structure.

Special objects are to provide a camera of the character indicated capable of being quickly, easily and accurately set and adjusted for any and all the several operations intended to be accomplished.

An important special object of the invention is to provide a suction type holder for small or large size film or copy which will automatically grasp and securely retain such material in selected position in an optically flat, non-deforming plane without the use of a cover glass or film, perforations or grooves such as have been used in the past and which have caused optical or physical distortion of the photographic plane.

Another special object of the invention is to effect the holding of film transparencies by suction in a photographic plane interchangeable with and corresponding to the optical plane of the copyboard.

Important objects of the invention are to assure and maintain accurate parallel movement and stability of the relatively adjustable elements of the camera such as lensboard and copyboard in respect to each other and the camera back, and to provide a single accurate parallel adjustment of the screen in the camera back.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the vacuum copy holder and the integral transparency holder in alternately usable functional relation, one in effect counterbalancing the other and so related that they may both be shifted to occupy positions non-interfering with the reduction of the camera to compact form for airborne transport or the like.

Other desirable objects and the novel features through which all purposes of the invention are attained, are set forth or will appear in the course of the following specification.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrate a practical commercial embodiment of the invention with certain modifications, but, as will appear in the course of the description, the actual physical structure may be modified and changed in many ways, all within the true intent and broad scope of the invention as hereinafter dened and claimed.

Fig. 1 in the drawing is a side elevation of the camera with parts in the raised, extended position for use;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the camera with parts in the lowered, folded or collapsed relation for shipment, handling or other` purposes, and showing a cover applied, the latter broken away to show folded position of parts;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the camera, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a broken cross sectional view on a larger scale showing in particular the tubular truss construction, themonorail rigidly carried thereby and the lensboard carriage accurately guided and positioned on the monorail, this view being taken as on substantially the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a broken perspective detail of a modified form of tubular truss and monorail construction;

Fig. 6 is a broken part sectional perspective view of the camera back construction;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of the screen clamps on substantially the plane of line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

2 4 U Fig. 8 is a broken part sectional view of the and copyboard are carried by a large diaineter, camera back end of the machine; tubular truss 35. The camera back 35 is fixed Fig, 9 is an enlarged breken Sectional dem?, on one eno. o this truss tube and the lensboard f and. copyboard 3S are mounted on the caras on substantially the plane of line S-S of Fig.

8, showing in particular the porous Vacuum back A 65 efable @Ver a fiat Wide I YlOlOl'a Suction plate. track 4:, rigidly secured on saddle pieces 42,

Fig. 10 is a broken top plan View of the inter- Fig' 0,11 top of m9, tube' changeably hinged Vacuum back and ground Aujustments or the lensboard and copyboard carriages 39, 5, are effected, iii the illustration, screw shafts rid, 43, journaled at opposite sides, over the upper portion of the truss tube and engaging nut elements 4l', 45, Figs. l, 3 and 4, on the respective carriages. The lensboard is shown as carrying a sleeve 4ta, Fig. 4, on the side opposite the nut member 47 slidingly engaging over the scref.7 shalt i3 to act as a guide in maintaining the carriage reely slide-ble along the track, of the screen rocking mechanism, taken on subauf, uw (3o-beard may be Similmly equipped stamt/13,113] the plane Of une Of f ,-1 a, guide Sleeve 46, jigs l and 18, to ride Fig. 14 is a broken detail of the ground glass; 20 @Ve-f the @they se -ew Sheff, M

glass screen elements;

Fig. ll is a vertical sectional view on substan- 10 tially the plane .une i-iE or Fig. 3, on a large scale, showing particularly details of the camera back and lensboard;

Fig. 12 is a broken part sectional face View of the ground glass screen;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged broken sectional detail I Fig. 1s is an inside face View of the lensboarcl The mee, fige, @gid moneyau pro-,fides ample lullstfatmg HOFF-011ml ali- Wi' i aillsiillg lateral support for the lensboard and copyboard means, with parts broken and appearing in SeC- carriage The edges of this track are shown as 111011; 1 l L beveled at 48, Fig. 4, and the carriages may be r` v 1 1. Fig. lo is a biosen tei tical sectional View of 25 eq-Lupped mth eoyl-eepenemgly beveled gibs 49 the elevating mechanism as appearing on suc whim can be adjusted to maintain accurate Stntiiiy the Piane Of iin@ iii-i3 0f 3? alignment and proper free sliding action of the Fig. 1'? is a broken cross sectional detail View eayfiegee of the tubular truss and elevating screa7 rnecha- '33e eel-ew Shafts 44 and 43 for adjusting th IliSm S O11 Substantially the piane 0f im@ iwi? 30 lensboard and copyboard may be motor or hand Of Fig- 16? operated.

Fig 13 i5 a part Sectional broken View Gi im In the present disclosure these shafts are procopyboarcl. and transparency hol-:ler es o.- vided with Squared ends, es Shown et, 5g, Fig, substantially the Piane 0f une ig-S 0f -Q- so that the?,7 may be turned by a hand cranlf` and,

19 iS a broken face View Of iii@ CUP l additionally, motors 5| and 52, Fig. 3, are proshoiring the zonal valve construction; vided which een be employed at WHL Fig. 20 iS a blOken Seional dtilii if i@ f" Figs. 8 and ll show how these motors are con- DOSOH Of the CODyb01`d,akR Oivi SlliS-'i'li---f nected with the screw shafts by a. spirai drive the plne Of line 29-29 Of Fig 18; gearing 53. If this drive gearing is of the revers- Fs. 211s a broken front elevation Of 'L icio type the gears may se left in when Dal'enCJ holder, tak-311 3S Oil Sulsiil l the sci-eu,v shafts are adjusted by hand. Fig. 8.

Plne Of line 2!*2! Of Fig- 1S; however, shows how these motors may be Fig. 22 is a broken sectional detail of one mounted on bese plates 54, pivoteuy supported the vacuum valves for selectively con n at 55 ons secures by hand screws 5s, when copi/board transparency holder, iii this iisl'- 45 loosened will permit tiro motors to ce swung to ticular instance the latter, said vieu.Y being taken the Side to unmesh the gear drives and 1eme 0D Substantially the Diane 0f line E12-2' Of F. the screw shafts free to be turned by han-i crank 21? applied to the ends of the shafts.

Figs- 23 and 24 are Views 0f an alternate fol-m Reduction in over-all height of the inacnine for of the copyboald, Fis. being 21 CYOSS SeCiJiiFii 50 air transport or other purposes, is accomplished View on Substantially the plane of lili@ Of in the present disclosure by mounting tubulai- Fg- 24: and Fi-g- 24- bilg a blOkSli fiOil Sifltruss frame for vertical adjustment on the base tion of the unit; tin-ouen the medium of jack screws 5i, es, at

Fig. 25 is an enlarged broken sectional detail Opposite ends of the base 0f One Of adjustable DSOH bays (if ing rh@ These jack scl'evys, as Shovn 1 8 and CtiV Veliifil @Stellt Gf the CGPYbORY-i. iin-'5S View 16, are stepped in thrust bearings 5B, e0, at their being taken on substantially the plane of line 10W-e1- ends on Jhe base and jom-neled et their 25-25 Of Fig. 24 1 upper ends at 52, in cross channels forming 1 F01' DUllOOSBS O f nl OOlilV and Pfgt'llli?. in@ parts of upright frames or stancliions 53, C4, on oase of the machine is shown consorante-"lL in the the Opposite ends of the base form of a sled. frame having skids or runners Genneeeen between the jack Shafts and the Handi-mg iS filihel aCilit-'ed ill this i tubular frame structure is accomplished, in the lar illustration by equinping the traine wil-.fi L through the medium Gf @anges er IOllelS 3! at the ends and 32 at the Cellini". these. l e 3g! OD the Opposite ends of the tubular rollers being carried by eccentric hea 'l 3! 13, and 17, having nuts e?, which can be rocked by lever handles S to lo"t g the screw threads -1- M+ L..`- Y. O1 mise the 191mg- ANMB" 1i-Fl the gael; shafts and sleeves 59, l0, at ther:

citer ends guided over hese shafts. .es shown paiticlilarl,iY in Figs. 1l.. 16 and 17, the nut elements E?, 68, may be cushioned in ranging the eccentric bearings for the center rollers to lower them below the end roll, z

aS D'iC-'d in Fig. 2, C0 hermit the i0 Je rubber blocks indicated at '.'l to absorb and tilted and swims around @n the Center rollers. prevent. transmission of external vibration to For rigidity and for maint- -ning the parts acthe camera truss.

curately in alignment and for combining light- The upright jack screws 5l, 58, are coupled ness with strength, the camera back, lensboarcl T5 to turn in. unison, in the illustration, Figs. 8 and 16, by a 'sprocket chain 12 extending about sprocket gears 13 on the lower ends of the shafts beneath the cover 14.

The jack screw 58 at the forward end of the machine is shown as having a squared upper end 15', Figs. 1, 3, 16 and 17, so that it may be turned by a hand crank 18, Fig. 16.

For convenience, the parts may be so made that the same hand crank such as shown at 16 in Fig. 16, may be interchangeably used for operating the vertical jack shafts 51, 58, and the lensboard and copyboard adjusting screw shafts 43 and 44, or separate cranks may be provided for all or any of these shafts.

To cradle and support the tubular truss frame in the lowered position shown in Fig. 2, the base may carry a series of cradles, pillow blocks or rests 11 shaped to accommodate the tubular truss or backbone of the camera.

When lowered on the base, a cover or casing such as shown at 18 in Fig. 2, may be applied to protect the parts, the same being shown as removably secured to the base by releasable latches 19. In this particular illustration the handles 34 are left exposed when the cover 18 is in position so that the supporting rollers 3|, 32, may be lowered or raised as may be required for the best handling of the machine in its transport condition.

With a large size copyboard such as shown, of greater width or lateral extent than the width of the machine, Fig. 3, this unit may be mounted so that it may be swung about its own axis and about an outside axis of support so as, in effect, to fold within the outer, allowable dimensions of the apparatus.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 18, the copyboard may be made with a circular neck extension flange 80 at the back, rotatably engageable on a tubular vacuum reservoir support 8| journaled at 82 in the upstanding arms of a supporting yoke or pedestal 83 on the copyboard carriage 40.

Hand screws 84, Figs. 3 and 18, received in long bayonet slots B5 in the edge of the flange 80 permit 90 turning movement of the copyboard on the tubular vacuum reservoir support 8| and the locking of this board in position at either end of such movement. This hand screw and bayonet slot structure also permits free removal and replacement of the copyboard in respect to the tubular support.

When rotated on its axis and swung 90 from the position. shown in Fig. 2, and then rocked on the tubular supporting journals 82 to carry the board into parallelism with the tubular truss, the board will come entirely within the outline of the base structure and hence not interfere with application of the cover 18.

The bodily swinging adjustment of the copyboard is facilitated in the structure here shown, by counterbalancing it with a transparency holder 88 shown as having a neck or collar flange 81 engaged over the opposite end of the tubular vacuum reservoir support 8 This transparency holder, as will be clear from Fig. 3, is of less width than the distance between the upright arms of the supporting yoke 83 so that it may swing down into position between those arms, as shown in Fig. 2.

Companion stop shoulders 88, 89, may be provided on the back of the copyboard and the carriage yoke frame 83, as shown in Fig. 18, to accurately position the copyboard in the upright, active relation.

Cil

'92 connected by a flexible hose 93 with a suction blower 84 operated by motor 95, Figs. l, 3, 8,9, l0 and 11. JY

This so-called vacuum back is shown equipped 'with angled hinge lugs 96, 91, Fig. 8, on opposite edges of the same to cooperate with the hinge lugs or brackets 98, 99, projecting as shown in Fig. 10, from the casing of the camera back 36.

Fixed hinge pintles |00 may be provided on the hinge lugs 98, as shown in Fig. l0, so that the vacuum back can swing open, as shown in that view, and removable pins or ball detents may be provided for coupling the lugs 91 at the opposite side with the hinge brackets 99 to secure the vacuum back in the closed position.

A ground glass frame |0| is shown in Figs. l0 and 12 equipped with angled hinge lugs |02 at one edge cooperable with fixed hinge lugs |03 `on the camera back, Fig. 8, and having angled lugs |04 at the opposite edge cooperable with fixed lugs |05 to hold the frame in closed relation over the end of the camera back.

In Fig. 10 it will be seen that the angled or offset hinge lugs 8S and |02 on the vacuum back and focusing frame alternately to be'swung into closed position over the end of the camera back.

Further, by use of pintles at the elbows of the angled hinge lugs 96, at |08,-Fig. 10, and engagement of such pintles at the centers |00, the ground glass frame |0| may be swung closed over the camera back and the vacuum back then be swung closed over the ground glass frame to close the structure for shipment or other purposes.

This closed position of the vacuum back over the ground glass frame is indicated in Figs. 1, 3, 8 and ll.

The vacuum back plate may be of natural or articial porous stone or a porous plastic or porous metal structure.

Because of the fine grain and substantially uniform porosity, a resin bonded No. 56 silicon carbide screened grain plate has been used.

The example given is merely illustrative, since a coarser or ner grain structure ispractical and, in fact, the grain and pore sizes may vary both ways from the example given.

In addition to the substantially uniform suction exerted over an expended area by such a plate, there are holding advantages in the granular character of the surface. This porous surface, while molded, dressed, or otherwise treated to render it as flat and smooth as possible, nevertheless presents minute sharp points which without penetrating or injuring an overlying surface will grip and hold with a certain frictional effect, thus to some extent amplifying the suction grip.

To zone the board for different size negatives, walls or flanges |09 are shown in Figs. 8 and 9, of compressible rubber or non-resilient material pressed against the back of the porous plate and defining suction chambers ||0 of gradually increasing size and which can be cut into and out of service by a rotary valve on the suction chest 92 controlling bores or passages ||2 leading to the successive chambers.

The copyboard 38 is shown in Figs. 18 and 19 as a vflat plate having multitudinous fine perfora- 6 tions i |13. It will be appreciated, though, that the same kind of a porous plate may be used here as used in the camera back at 9U.

In back of this board are walls ||4 dening successively larger vacuum chambers I |5 and control of these chambers is effected by a valve rod ||G with stop shoulders on it, spaced to lift in succession the valves |8 at the center and valves I|9, |20, |2|, |22 and |23 for the surrounding, successively larger suction chambers.

Springs |24 on the valve rod tend to hold the valve discs normally closed against their seats |24a.

The valve rod is shown as controlled by crank or handle |25 operating a pinion |26 in engagement with a rack |21 cut into the outer end of the rod.

The transparency holder 8,6 is enabled to hold diapositives by laying the subject over the transparent cover plate |28 of this holder and then f .placing an appropriate mask fitting over the face of the holder and engaging the edges of the subject so that suction will apply to the subject matter through the openings |29, Fig. 21, in the corners of the cover glass.

Suitable valve mechanism is provided for controlling suction to the copyboard and transparency holder.

Figs. 2l and 22 illustrate details of mechanism suitable for the purpose and comprising in each instance a sli-de valve |39 operable over a suction inlet passage |3| under the action of a push-pull handle |32. While details of this valve are shown only in connection with the transparency holder, itwill be understood that similar or r is shown in Figs. 23, 24 and 25, embodying parallel horizontal piston bars |31 engaging the back of the perforated plate |38 and curtains |39 closable over the face of the plate.

The vertically adjustable bars |31 determine the vertical extent and the horizontally adjustable curtains |33 determine the lateral extent of the suction area.

Adjustment of the piston bars is effected by spreader links |43 connected at their outer ends with the bars |31 and at their inner ends with nut blocks I4! engaged on reversely threaded portions S42 of a. screw shaft |43 operable by hand crank |44 which can be clutched to turn the shaft at |45.

The lateral extent determining curtains |39 are shown as wrapped on rollers |46 at the side edges of the copyboard frame, and these may be of the spring winding type so that the curtains can be quickly drawn out and Wound up as adjustments are made to close down or open up the size of the suction area.

Stiff bars |41 are shown at the edges of the curtains having clips or loops |48 at the ends of the same engaged over the upper and lower edges of the perforated plate to hold the curtains closely in place.

The valve mechanism for controlling the suction is shown in this case as a rotatively mounted valve disc |49 operable by a push-pull handle |50 to open and close suction ports |5| in the hub portion of the unit, back of the perforated plate.

In addition to adjustments of the lensboard and copyboard described, other necessary or desirable adjustments of the parts can be eifected at the camera back end of the apparatus, as follows:

Horizontal and vertical adjustments of the lens mount can be effected by operating the hand cranks |52, |53, Fig. 8, on the back of the panel or flange extension |54 at this end of the truss tube 35.

These cranks, through universal jointed shafting |55, |56, Figs. 3 and 1l, turn the square shafts |51, |58, extending along, above and at opposite sides of the tubular truss.

The lens carriage 39, as shown in Fig. 4, carries upright shafts |59, |88, provided with spiral gears ISI, |52, at their lower ends in mesh with spiral drive gears |83, |54, slidingly sleeved on the square shafts |51, |58, so as to travel along with the carriage.

rEhe upright shaft |59, as shown in Fig. l5, carries a long pinion in mesh with a horizontal rack |56 on the lens mount board |611 The latter, as shown in Figs. 1l and l5, is mounted to slide horizontally in a frame |58 retained by guides |59 for vertical sliding movement in the support |10.

The vertical shaft |88 is shown in Figs. 11 and l5 as having a screw threaded connection with the frame |58 at |1| so that rotary adjustments of this shaft will effect vertical movements of the frame carrying the laterally movable lens mount.

The lateral and vertical adjustments of the lens mount can thus be accomplished one without interfering with or affecting the other.

Parallel adjustments of the halftone screen |12, Figs. 6 and ll, in respect to the vacuum back panel 99, arev accomplished in the illustration by means of a han-:i crank |13 adapted to be coupled at |14 with a bevel gear |15 in mesh with a corresponding bevel gear |16 on the lower end ci a screw shaft |11. This shaft has a screw engagement at |18 with a frame |19 guided for vertical adjustment in the casing of the camera back 36.

As shown particularly in Fig. 6, the vertically adjustable frame |13 has angularly projecting flanges |85 reaching around the sides of a foreand-aft adjustment frame' |8|, these flanges carrying rotatably supported slide blocks |82 received in inclined slots |33 in the opposing side walls of the screen carrying frame |8I.

The haltone screen |12 is shown in Fig. 6 supported between upper and lower bars |84, |85, adjustably secured by shoes |86 over vertical side anges |81 of the screen frame. This construction allows for quier: substitution o diiferent size screens.

rThe screens are shown as held in place on the vertically adjustable rails |84, |85, by rotary helical clamps |88, Fig. "I, having helical grooves |89 to receive the edges of the screen and adapted to be turned by iinger flanges |90 to seat the screen firmly and evenly against the front ledge of |88.

The helical cam grooves |85 are open at one 9 point, as shown at I9I, to accept the edges of the screen, after which the cams may be turned to clamp the screen in place.

As shown in Fig. 7, the cam buttons |88 may be yieldingly supported by being mounted to turn on blocks |92 seated in cavities |93 in the supporting rails |84, |85, and adjustably held therein by screws |94 against the tension of springs |95. The cam supporting bearing blocks |92 are shown as held against turning by stationary screws |96 projecting into slots |91 in the bearings so that turning of the adjusting screws |94 will locate the cam buttons in proper position to yieldingly retain the screen in correct alignment with the vacuum back.

The focusing screen is illustrated in detail at |98, Figs. 12 and 14, as lined in small cross squares |99, by which size of image can be accurately judged and adjusted for.

To bring this accuratey lined screen into register with the object, this screen may be mounted for rotational adjustment about the center by providing it with rounded corner bearings 20|! in sliding engagement with correspondingly curved bearings 20| in the frame IUI. The curved bearing surfaces 239, 2IlI, may be formed on arcs struck from the center of the screen at 202 and adjustment about this center may be accomplished by means of a hand knob 263, Fig. 13, journaled in the lower rail of the frame lill and carrying a pinion 204 in mesh with a rack 25 on the lower edge of the inner frame 296, to which the ground glass focusing screen |93 is directly attached.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic view illustrating a somewhat modied but possibly more rigid form of the tubular ltruss and monorail construction, showing the monorail 281 formed as a single piece of sheet metal having its edges bent down convergently at 2138 and edge Welded or otherwise secured at 2E!! over the upper portion of the truss tube 2I. The bearing surfaces later being truedup v:for a light machine fit for the carriages.

The monorail track 4|, Fig. 4, and 261, Fig. 5, being directly attached to the truss tube, is given the rigidity of the tubular structure and, in turn, adds re-enforcement to the tubular beam or backbone This arrangement, with the monorail on top of the tube and the adjusting shafts extending along the top of the tube, beneath opposite sides of the monorail, presents a compact, clean structure free of protuberances and clear about the underside to leave space for other items and to assure seating properly in the lower supports or pillow blocks 11. The screw shafts and the squared shafts as Well, may be journaled on the truss or on the end flanges or headers carried by the truss. The tubular truss being of substantial dimensions, may, if desired, be utilized as a reservoir for the suctionblowers.

, Various scales and indicators may be utilized to show position of parts and aid in their proper adjustment. For one example, the vertically slidingframe |80, Fig. 6, may carry an indicator 2 I I to register with a stationaryscale 2I2 for indicating screen distanceof the halftone screen |12.

yAnother scale mounted'on the monorail with indicating verniers attached to the lens and copyboard carriages maybe used for predetermining focusing positions of theserelements, or counters may be installed geared to the drive shafts to provide direct readings of the copyboard and lensboard positions. Y

-The lenses used in the camera, such as indicated at 2 I3, Figs. 3, 11 and 15, may be mounted on bases 2 I4 interchangeably engageable with a bayonet joint form of connection with the shift; able lens supporting frame |61.l

For diffusion purposes the transparency holder 86 may be constructed as indicated in Fig. 18,- with an opal glass 2 I5 at the inside of the outer,- ground glass cover |2El. lThis provides double diffusion for uniformity of light. Also, to overcome the fading off effect about the edges and thus afford greater uniformity of light, 'the lamps |36 which are nearer the edges may be located closer to the back of the opal glass 215, substantially as indicated at the top in Fig. 18.

What is claimed is:

1. A camera of the character disclosed comprising a skid frame, supporting rollers mounted for raising and lowering movements on said skid frame and a camera frame mounted for raising and lowering movements on said skid frame, said supporting rollers including rollers located at opposite ends and at a central portion of the skid frame, said last mentioned rollers being capable of positioning below the end rollers to enable turning of the sled frame thereon.

2. A portable camera of the character disclosed comprising a base structure, a tubular truss, means for effecting raising and lowering of said tubular truss on said base structure, a track carried by said tubular truss, a carriage mounted for travel on said track, a copyboard mounted on said carriage and pivoted to swing from a vertical to a substantially horizontal position and a transparency holder connected in counter-balancing relation to said copyboard to swing in reverse direction from said copyboard and of smaller over-all dimensions than the copyboard to occupy less space so as to permit lowering of the same as the copyboard is swung upwardly into the horizontal position stated, said carriage having a yoke with spaced upstanding arms and the copyboard and transparency holder being mounted on the opposite ends of a supporting member pivoted transversely on the upstanding arms of the yoke and said arms being spaced a greater distance apart than the dimensions of said transparency holder so that the transparency holder may swing into position between said spaced arms to effect reduction in the space occupied by said camera parts when the tubular truss is lowered, in folding the camera for shipment.

3. A camera of the character disclosed comprising a track, a carriage mounted for travel on said track and having a yoke with spaced upstanding arms, a tubular member journaled on av transverse axis between the arms of said yoke, a transparency holder mounted transversely on one end of said tubular member and of external dimensions small enough to swing with the pivot- .ing of the tubular member into position between the upstanding arms of said yoke and a copyboard of larger dimensions than said transparency holder and transversely mounted on the opposite end of said tubular member and whereby as lsaid tubular member is swung on its axis to lower the transparency holder into position between the arms of the yoke, the copyboard on the opposite end of said tubular member will be swung upwardly into position over the yoke.

V4. A camera of the character disclosed comprising a track, a carriage mounted for travel on said track and having a yoke with spaced upstanding arms, a tubular member journaled between the arms of said yoke, a transparency holder mounted on one end of said tubular member and of external dimensions small enougltq swing into position between theupstanding` arms of said yoke, a copyboard mounted on the opposite end of said tubular-member, means for apply-v ing suction to the interior of said tubularemernber and valve means controlling application ofl suction` to either said transparency holder or saidy copyboard.

5. A camera of the character disclosed comprising a track, a carriage mountedv for travel on said track and havingr a yoke with spaced upstanding arms, a tubular. member journaled between the arms ofl said yoke, a-n transparency holder mounted on one end oi said tubular meme ber and of external dimensions, small; enough to swing into position between the opstanding arms of seid yokey s eooybosl'd mounted on the oploo- Se end 0f Sad, 1234.131113? mmper. means, QI' api plying suction to the interior of said tubular member ao Valve meses ooosrollos sooliostoo, of suction either said transparency holder` or said. copyboard, said copyboard being rotatably, engaged on said tubular member and arranged. for l9'0OA rotational adjustment thereon.

6. A camera ofA the character disclosed com-r prising a tubularv truss, vertical jack screws engaged'with opposite. endsof saidtruss, means for eflecting substantiallyV simultaneous adjustments of said jack screws, a track rigidly mounted on said tubular trussand a lensboard and copyboarld independently Vah'ujstable on said track, said means for effecting substantiallyV simultaneous adjustment of. said 'jack screws including a hand crank. engageable withl theA upper end of one of said jack screws and gearing connecting' the lower ends ot thejack screws.

V"i, A camera of thev characten disclosed corn-- miisioe s tubular truss frames ori, the oppositeends of said tubular truss, nutvblockscushioned in the ooier esosfof ssio'freieos! 'ellisse sleeves inthe lower` ends of said fran/les,1 vertical jack screws extending up throughI said guide sleeves. and engaged `with said: cushicned nut blocks, means forfeffecting. 4substartis'illy`` 'simultaneous adjustment of4 said jack screws, a track.k rigidly moaned 'on 'asimilar aus between senese frames and aA lensboard?and a copyboard inde-` oeooeiltlr'soiesoeble on. seid; trsok s A Corners of the obsrooter oisolosfed` oom: prisihg a rigid tubular. truss, a. monorail track rigidly mounted onltop of. said` truss, screw shafts` journaled at'opposite sides of saidftruss, shafts of angular crossy section journaled atv oppositesides of the truss, a lensboard carriage mountedk on said track and havingafnut element engaged with one screw.l shaft, a copyboardcariiage, mounted` on" said tra'lck and'having a nu'tel?l ment engaged Vwith the other screw shaft, avlens mount vertically andflorizontally adju'fsfta'ble, saidV lensboardV carriage, upright shafts on said lsosboerfd eerfeee:fotefeoiioeversioeleoeoori Zonfsl adjustments ofc; seid.. lees moest, spiral., gea-YS Qn the. 19W??- end Qf: Sdl uplfigm: Shafts. Companion soirel eeslss meshing therewith and Sldgly @nga-ged, 0n. 531m. ngllar. Q1`,S SCPI Shftsa for; tlavelwth, th?, lensboad; Calfre all@ means for effecting independent adjustment of solo sorew shstssodsoeglsr osossseloeioo 'starts 9,` The portable precision process camera here-v, in oisoloseo Comprising eoortoble sleolisselorfight ssodel'ds oo, opposite ends of. said losse.V Vertical look sorews. J'oorrisled. io. ssidf standards and geared to operate together., a)large,diam"'etentubular truss, susoeodedoetween solo standards. sod lss-vine besos st opposite endsof; the. sleale provided at the top witnnuts hung. on the upper` ends of said jack screws and at the bottom withv sleeves slidingly guided over4 said jack screws, a track rigidlymounted directly on the top of said tubular. truss, a camera back mounted at one end of said tubular truss, lensb'oard and copyboard carriagesr mounted for travel on the track in respect to said camera back and arranged to lower with the truss between said upright standards and means forlsimultaneously operating said` jack screws to` effect lifting of the tubular truss and track to carry said camera parts to a position above the upright standards and to lower said tubular truss to lower the camera parts into posi-V tion between said upright standards.

10. The portable precision process camera herein disclosed comprising4 a portable sled-base, upright standardsl on opposite Aends of said base.

vertical jack screws journaled in said standards and geared toA operate together, a large. diameter tubular truss suspended between said standards and having heads at opposite ends of the same sleeves slidingly. guided over said jack screws, a

track rigidly mounted directly on the top of said tubular truss, acamera back mounted at one end of said tubular truss, lensboard and copyboard carriages mounted for travel on thel track. in respect to said camera back and arranged to` lower withr the trusslbetween said upright standards, means for simultaneously operating said jack screws tov effect lifting of the tubular truss and track to carry said cameraparts to a position, above the upright standards and to lower said tubular trussto lower the camera partsinto posif tion between said upright standardsy and a hol,- low cover of approximately the length andfwidth of said sled base and of approximately the height of saidupright standardsto thereby fit down over the upright` standards onto saidbase when said tubular truss and parts supported thereby is low` ered as described.

11. The portable precision process camera herein disclosed comprising al portable sled base, upright standards, ony oooositejeods of seid, loose.

vertical isos screws.A iohrosled said steooeros and geared to operatetogethena large diameter tubular truss suspended. betweenfsaid standards, and, having heads at oppositie ends of the same provided, at the` top lwith nuts hung on the upper ends of said jack screws and at the. bottom with sleeves slidinrgly guided overY saidV jack screwsfa track rigidly mounted directly onftl'ietop of said tubular truss, a camera back mounted at oneend of said tubular truss, lensboardl and copyboard carriagesmountedV for travel onA the track in ref",

spect to said camera back and arranged, to lower with the truss between saidfupright standards'` and means for simultaneously operating's'aidja'ck screws to effect livftingfoffthe tubular truss, and trackv toly carry said camera 'parts to, a positiony above the upright standards and. toY lower said tubular truss to lower thel camera parts intoy position between said upright standards. Vamlag. size clopyboard having one dimension` of: greater extent than thel width orfsaid 'base and. means pivotally supporting saidI copyboard` en said copyboard carriage for. enabling the; swingingof said. copyrboard into position with said' greatest die. mension longitudinally in line` with theA base: bring the dimensionszof the copyboardwhen low?, eredi, Within thodmfDSOX-- Olf" Sad-besef l l2. The portable precision process` here@ dlsoloodo9moe1see e. oottebles sled oase,

upright standards on opposite ends of said base, vertical jack screws journaled in said standards and geared to operate together, a large diameter tubular truss suspended between said standards and having heads at opposite ends of the same provided at the top with nuts hung on the upper ends of said jack screws and at the bottom with sleeves slidingly guided over said jack screws, a track rigidly mounted directly on the top of said tubular truss, a camera back mounted at one end of said tubular truss, lensboard and copyboard carriages mounted for travel on the track in respect to said camera back and arranged to lower with the truss between said upright standards, means for simultaneously operating said jack screws to eiect lifting of the tubular truss and track to carry said camera parts to a position above the upright standards and to lower said tubular truss to lower the camera parts into position between said upright standards, a copyboard having a circular neck extension at the back of the same, a tubular support journaled on a transverse axis on said copyboard carriage and said circular neck extension being pivotally engaged with one end of said tubular support for enabling said copyboard to be swung into different angular relations on the end of said tubular support.

13. The portable precision process camera herein disclosed comprising a portable sled base, upright standards on opposite ends of said base, vertical jack screws journaled in said standards and geared to operate together, a large diameter tubular truss suspended between said standards and having heads at opposite ends of the same provided at the top with nuts hung on the upper ends of said jack screws and at the bottom with sleeves slidingly guided over said jack screws, a track rigidly mounted directly on the top of said tubular truss, a camera back mounted at one end of said tubular truss, lensboard and copyboard carriages mounted for travel on the track in respect to said camera back and arranged to lower with the truss between said upright standards, means for simultaneously operating said jack screws to effect lifting of the tubular truss and track to carry said camera parts to a position above the upright standards and to lower said tubular truss to lower the camera parts into position between said upright standards, a copyboard having a circular neck extension at the back of the same, a tubular support journaled on a transverse axis on said copyboard carriage and said circular neck eX- tension being pivotally engaged with one end of said tubular support for enabling said copyboard to be swung into diierent angular relations on the end of said tubular support, said tubular support being of large diameter to form a vacuum reservoir, a tubular journal pivotally mounting said Vacuum reservoir tubular support. said copybcard having a porous back exposed to said Vacuum reservoir, and a vacuum applying connection to said tubular journal.

BERNARD R. HALPERN.

REFERENCES CITED The following rreferences are of record in the file o1 this patent:

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